Which symptoms mean calling 998 now?
Call an ambulance for symptoms that suggest the heart, brain, airway or circulation is failing. These need treatment that starts on the way to hospital, which is why transport by ambulance matters more than speed of arrival at any clinic.
- Chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes, or with sweating, nausea or pain in the arm, neck or jaw
- Face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty — even if it passes
- Struggling to breathe, unable to complete a sentence, or lips turning blue
- Not responding normally, a first seizure, or a seizure lasting more than five minutes
- Bleeding that soaks through dressings despite firm pressure
- Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat after a sting, food or medicine
- A head injury followed by vomiting, drowsiness or confusion
Sources: World Health Organization — stroke; World Health Organization — cardiovascular diseases
What counts as urgent but not an emergency?
Seek prompt clinical advice for symptoms needing assessment without life-threatening signs. A clinician should help choose the setting and timing; being able to drink or sit does not rule out an emergency, and young infants with fever need prompt assessment.
- A fever with no warning signs, in someone who is drinking and alert
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea without signs of significant dehydration
- A wound that may need closing but is not bleeding heavily
- Moderate pain that is not improving with simple measures
- A suspected sprain or a minor burn
- A medicine problem — a missed dose, a reaction, or running out
Do not judge urgency by how long you think someone could sit in a waiting room. Ask a clinician to assess the symptoms, age and medical history promptly; call 998 for life-threatening signs or rapid deterioration, and do not wait for a home visit.
When is waiting until morning the safer choice?
Monitoring may be suitable for mild symptoms only after considering age, medical history and warning signs, with a plan to check regularly and seek help if anything changes. If worried or unsure, ask a clinician promptly. Do not delay infant fever assessment or call 998 later when severe warning signs are present now.
Common questions
Answers connected to this guide.
What if the symptom passes before I call?
Some time-critical symptoms resolve and return. Weakness, slurred speech or visual loss that passes within minutes still needs urgent assessment, because it can precede a larger event.
Will I be charged for calling an ambulance?
Ambulance access does not depend on your ability to pay, and you should never delay calling 998 because of cost. Billing questions for any subsequent hospital care are separate and can be resolved afterwards.
Can I drive someone to hospital instead of calling 998?
For a possible heart attack, stroke or breathing failure, no. Ambulance crews begin treatment immediately and take the patient to a facility equipped for that problem. Driving also puts a distressed driver on the road.